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Book l_W17 



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COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



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THE 

NEW TESTAMENT 
PRIMER 




"Suffer the little children to come unto Me "—JESUS. 

By 

JAMES EDSON WHITE 

Author oj Coming King, Gospel Primer, Best Stories 

from the Best Book, etc. 



The Southern Publishing Association 



Fort Worth, Texas 



NASHVILLE, TENN. 



Hickory, N. C. 



& 






UBRARY of CONGRESS 
Two Copies Received 

DEC F( 1906 

/7r -Copyrt2ht Entry 
CLASS A XXe„No. 

/(o 7<f/^- 

COPY B. 



COPYRIGHT 
By J. E. WHITE, i 9 o6. 



ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 



Entered at Stationers' Hall. 



LC Control Number 




tmp96 031656 



NEW TESTAMENT 

ALPHABET 



+, a^)S^2 *5k 

The Decorations in the Initial Letters Are Taken From the Vines 
and Flowers of Palestine. 



ysG)£/5 *- 







"Ask, and it shall be given 
you; seek, and ye shall find; 
knock, and it shall be opened 
unto you." Matthew 7 : 7. 

"Be ye therefore followers of 
God, as dear children." Ephe- 
sians 5 : 1. 



"Children, obey your parents 
in the Lord: for this is right." 
Ephesians 6 : 1. 

(3) 



NEW TESTAMENT PRIMER. 
















m% 














"Do good unto all men, espe- 
cially unto them who are of the 
household of faith." Galatians 
6: 10. 

" Except ye be converted, and 
become as little children, ye shall 
not enter into the kingdom of 
heaven." Matthew 18: 3. 

"Forgive us our debts, as we 
forgive our debtors." Matthew 
6: 12. 

"Giving thanks always for all 
things unto God and the Father 
in the name of our Lord Jesus 
Christ" Ephesians 5: 20. 

"He that overcometh shall in- 
herit all things; and I will be 
his God, and he shall be My 
son." Revelation 21: 7. 



NEW TESTAMENT ALPHABET. 








"If any man sin, we have 
an Advocate with the Father, 
Jesus Christ the righteous." 
I John 2 : i. 

"Judge not, that ye be not 
judged. For with what judg- 
ment ye judge, ye shall be 
judged." Matthew 7:1, 2. 

"Know the love of Christ, 
which passeth knowledge." 
Ephesians 3 : 19. 

"Lead us not into tempta- 
tion, but deliver us from evil." 
Matthew 6: 13. 



"My grace is sufficient for 
thee." 2 Corinthians 12:9. 



NEW TESTAMENT PRIMER. 




u 




Now faith is the substance 
of things hoped for." Hebrews 
ii : I. 



"Our Father which art in 
heaven, Hallowed be Thy name." 
Matthew 6:9. 



"Pray without ceasing." 
1 Thessalonians 5 : 17. 




"Quench not the Spirit." 
I Thessalonians 5 : 19. 



b . 



" Rejoice evermore 
salonians 5 : 16. 



» 



1 Thes- 



NEW TESTAMENT ALPHABET. 




* * 






"Strait is the gate, and nar- 
row is the way, that leadeth 
unto life." Matthew 7:14, 

"Therefore all things what- 
soever ye would that men 
should do to you, do ye even 
so to them." Matthew 7: 12. 



u 



Unto you therefore which 



believe He 
1 Peter 2 : 7. 



is precious 



?j 



"Verily He took not on Him 
the nature of angels." He- 
brews 2 : 16. 

"Why beholdest thou the 
mote that is in thy brother's 
eye, but considerest not the 
beam that is in thine own eye?" 
Matthew 7 : 3. 



NEW TESTAMENT ALPHABET. 




" Except a man be born again, 
he cannot see the kingdom of 
God." John 3 : 3. 



u 



Your Father knoweth what 
things ye have need of, before 
ye ask Him." Matthew 6: 8. 



"Zealous of good works." 
Titus 2 : 14. 



"And the very God of peace 
sanctify you wholly." 1 Thes- 
salonians 5: 23. 





The Fig Tree 

The &g tree bears fruit the shape 
of a pear. Dried figs are sweet and 
good to eat. The figs start to grow 
before the leaves come out. One 
time Jesus caused a fig tree to wither 
and die because it had - * . 

leaves and no fruit. 



The Date Palm 

Many date palm trees grew in Palestine 
at the time Jesus was on earth. Dates, 
when dried, are used for food. The palm 
branches are a symbol of victory. One 
time when Jesus rode into Jerusalem the 
children broke off the palm branches and 
spread them on the ground before Him. 

Slate Exercise 

I see a tree. It is a fig tree. 

Writing Lesson 

A; As CL AuxJirrv Xajju. 

Drawing and Stick Laying 

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Note. — Provide the children ^nth small sticks and teach them to lay them like 
copy. Matches vath the fire end cut off will do. (9) 



IO 



NEW TESTAMENT PRIMER 



The Cedar Tree 

The cedar of Palestine is a very 
beautiful tree. It is evergreen, 
and is an emblem of long life, pros- 
perity, and strength. The " cedars 
of Lebanon" were the finest of all 
the trees of Palestine. King Solo- 
mon sent eighty thousand men to 
Lebanon to hew cedars for the wood 
work of the temple at Jerusalem. See i Kings 5:14, 15. 




The Olive Tree 

This is the most famous tree of Pales- 
tine. The fruit is used for food, and olive 
oil is made from it. It is evergreen, and 
lives to a great age. Some of the trees 
on the Mount of Olives were there when 
Jesus was on earth. The olive branch is 
the token of peace. To David it was an 
emblem of the blessing of God. To Paul 
it was the victor's wreath in heathen games. 







The cherubim 



on the mercy seat in the temple were made of the olive tree. 



Slate Exercise 

A cedar tree. An olive tree. 

Writing Lesson 
Drawing and Stick Laying 

/^w^^wx T T T T 



NEW TESTAMENT PRIMER 



II 




Locust or Carob Tree 

This tree grows something like an apple 
tree. Its frnit is in long pods as seen in 
the picture. The husk is used for food, 
but the seeds are bitter. It is thought that 
the pod was the food of John the Baptist 
while he lived in the wilderness. 



Sycamore Tree 

This tree in Palestine bears a very valu- 
able fruit. When Zaccheus wanted to see 
Jesus he climbed a sycamore tree beside the 
road where He was to pass. 





Christ 9 s Thorn 

Grows near Jerusalem. 
Some believe this to be the thorns plaited 
into a crown and placed upon the brow of 
Jesus before His death, and so have named 
it Christ's Thorn. But others think this 
is too large and stiff, and that it must 
have been a smaller variety. 



Writing Lesson 



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JuO^CAA/iJi/ OVUU. 



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Drawing and Stick Laying 




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12 



NEW TESTAMENT PRIMER 




The Mustard 

This herb grows wild in Palestine. The 
seed is very small, but the plant is large, 
and the birds light on its branches to eat 
the seeds. Jesus uses the mus- 
tard as an emblem 
of faith in Matthew 
17:20. Read also 
the parable in Matthew 13:31. 

The Lily 

Grows wild in Pal- 
estine. Jesus said that 
Solomon in all his glory 
was not arrayed like one 
of them. 

Tares 

Look so near like wheat that the 
difference cannot be seen until the wheat ripens. 
The Saviour compares the righteous to wheat and 
the wicked to tares. 

Slate Exercise 

The mustard. The lily. Tares. 

Writing Lesson 





jO- X> XV 



jCu JJu JJu 



Drawing and Stick Laying 

IV H N X /AKZVVIVI 





Sheep and Wolves 

Many sheep were raised 
1 in Palestine. Shepherds 
were men who cared for 
the sheep. They would 
lead them to water and 
good pastures. Wolves 
often attack these nocks of 
sheep, and unless the shep- 
herd protects 
th( 



ar 



Jesus is called the Good Shephed. 

The Deer 

In Bible times many deer lived 
in the mountains of Palestine. 
The roe is a small deer, sometimes 
called a goat. The venison which 
Jacob prepared to deceive his father 
was from this animal. 




Slate Exercise 

Sheep and wolves. Oxen. 

Writing Lesson 



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As As 

(13) 



*4 



NEW TESTAMENT PRIMER 



Oxen 

Abraham and his children had many cattle. 
In Palestine oxen were used in most of the 
farm work. Even the thresh- 
ing was done by oxen. They 
were driven aronnd over the 
wheat until it was beaten out 










The Camel 

There are great deserts 
near Palestine. 
In hot, desert 
countries many camels are used in- 
stead of horses. In crossing great 
deserts the camel is used because 
he can travel longer than any other 
animal with but little food and 
water. He is sometimes called the 
ship of the desert. In large num- 
bers, called caravans, they carry 
great loads across the hot sands. 

Slate Exercise 

Oxen are used in farm work. 

Writing Lesson 

Xj Xj Xj xjyvu x^a/mxl/ Aj xL xL 

Drawing and Stick Laying 




^ 



NEW TESTAMENT PRIMER 



15 







The Mouse 

There are many kinds 
of mice in Palestine. The 
field mice are tne worst of 
all. They go into the 
fields and destroy much of 
H the grain. 

Turn to 1 Samuel 6 : 1-9 
and read the story of some 
golden mice made by the Philistines. They were sent back 
to the Jews with the 
ark of God which they tt^teG 

had taken in battle. 

The Serpent 

Serpents are nu- 
merous in Palestine. 
Some are very poison- 
ous. The serpent de- 
ceived Eve in the 
Garden of Eden, and 
caused her to sin. 




Slate Exercise 



Drawing and Stick Laying 



The Garden of Eden. 
Mice. Serpents. 

Writing Lesson 

L Jb JOj Jv JOj Mj Ms 




The Eagle 

This is a picture of the short toed 
eagle. In Palestine there are twice 
as many of these as there are of all 
other varieties. They live mostly on 
snakes and frogs. The eagle is called 
the king of birds. 

Hen and Chickens 

Hens and chickens are found every- 
where. If any danger comes, the chickens run and hide 
under the wings of their mother. 
Jesus wanted to save Jerusalem. 
He said that He would have 
cared for them "as a hen gather- 
eth her chickens under her 
wings." But they would not let 
Him care for them. 





Slate Exercise 

Jesus wanted to save Jerusalem, 

Writing Lesson 



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Drawing and Stick Laying 



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j 



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(16) 




NEW TESTAMENT PRIMER 

The Owl 



i7 



The owl has a large head and great 
round eyes. Owls can not see well in 
the day time, so they usually keep in 
shelter until night. Then they fly out 
to catch small animals for food. 

The Turtle Dove 

The turtle dove is smaller than the 
pigeon y and very shy. • It is the 
emblem of love. When Mary 
brought an offering for Jesus, it 
was "A pair of turtle doves, or 
two young pigeons." 

The Sparrow 

Sparrows were so plentiful in 
Palestine that two were sold for a farthing. Yet not one 

could fall to the ground without the 
notice of our Father. If God cares 
for the little sparrows, He certainly 
will not forget us. God is our 
loving Father. 

Slate Exercise Drawing and Stick Laying 

God cares for the 
sparrows. 

Writing Lesson 





Mj OnAy xvu>u yv \ 




©f tl&e 




The Locust 

Many of the locusts of 
Palestine are very large. 
Some are two and a naif 
inches long. They eat 
everything green, and some- 
times the bark of trees. 



Locusts were used for food by the 
Jews. See Leviticus 11:22. The 
Arabs still roast and eat them. 

The Hornet 

VERY common in Palestine. 
Used as symbol of warrior. When 
the Israelites went into Canaan the 
Lord said, "I will send hornets" 
before them," to drive out their ene- 
mies. Exodus 23:28. They build 
large nests in trees that look as 
though made of brown paper. 





Writing Lesson. 



J> J> 



P P 



Drawing and Stick Laying. 



(18) 



NEW TESTAMENT PRIMER 



*9 




The Butterfly 

The butterfly is 
found everywhere, but 
especially in warm coun- 
tries, like Palestine. 
Their life is very short, 
yet they sometimes fly 
long distances. 

The Scorpion 

The scorpion looks 
like a lobster, and its 



sting is very poisonous. When 
curled up it looks like an egg. 
Read about it in Luke 11: 11, 12. 
Jesus said, " Behold, I give you 
power to tread on serpents and 
scorpions, and over all the power of 
the enemy; and nothing shall by 
any means hurt 3'OU." 




Slate Exercise 

There are many kinds of butterflies. 

Writing Lesson 



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XL> Xp XV 

Drawing and Stick Laying 




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11/". 



ryr**A... 





ANY Hundreds of years ago a babe was 
born in a stable, in the little town of Beth- 
lehem, in the land of Judea. His mother 
had no cradle for Him, so He was laid in a 
manger where cattle were sometimes fed. 

This babe was Jesus, the Son of 
"*V X God. Before He came to the earth His 
'/irilik I home was in heaven, where His father 
dwelt. In heaven He was equal in 
power with God, His Father. There 
He was commander of the hosts of heav- 
enly angels, who delighted to obey Him. 

But He had a great love for the people of earth, who 
had all become sinners. So He left the riches and glory of 
His home in heaven. He came to this earth to live with 
sinful men, and to help them. 

Through all His life Jesus was very poor. On earth He 
had no home of His own. He said, "The foxes have holes, 
and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man 
hath not where 'to lay His head." Matthew 8 : 20. 

He finally died on the cross so that sinners might be 
saved in His kingdom at last. In all this He showed how 
much He loves us. 



(20] 



NEW TESTAMENT PRIMER. 



21 



Jesus is now in His heavenly home, where He is pre- 
paring homes for all who are good and true. 

Just before His death He said to His disciples, "I go 
to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a 




"His mother had no cradle for Him, so He was laid in a manger where cattle were 

sometimes fed," 

place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto My- 
self; that where I am, there ye may be also." John 14: 2, 3. 

He lived His pure life on earth so that we, if we fol- 
low His example, may live with Him by and by in this 
beautiful home which He is preparing. 

Our Father in heaven loves us too. ~ The Bible says, 
"God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten 
Son, that whosoever believe th on Him should not perish, but 
have everlasting life." John 3 : 16. 

The apostle John said, "Beloved, if God so loved us, we 
ought also to love one another." "Beloved, let us love one 
another: for love is of God." 1 John 4: 11, 7. 




HEN Jesus was 
born, the news 
was sent first to some 
humble shepherds near \ \ 
Bethlehem. As they were 
watching their sheep by % 
night, an angel from heaven 
came to them. He was covered 
with the bright glory of heaven, 
and the shepherds were afraid. 

L But the angel said to them: — 

"Fear not; for, behold, I 



^r% 



(22) 



NEW TESTAMENT PRIMER. 



23 



bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all 
people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David 
a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:10, 11. 

The angel told them to go to Bethlehem and they would 
find the "child lying in a manger. And that was to be a 




Bethlehem, the Birthplace of Jesus. 

sign to them that the babe was 
really Jesus, the Messiah for 
which they had been so long 
looking and praying. 

So they went to Bethlehem in haste, and found the babe 
lying in the manger as the angel had said. There they 
saw Mary, the mother of the babe, and Joseph by their 
side. 

Then the shepherds went out and told about it to the 
people around. And they all wondered what it meant. But 
Mary kept all these things in her heart, and thought much 
about them. 





HEN Jesus was six weeks old He was taken 

to the temple at Jerusalem. Here an 

offering was made for Him according to 

the law of the Jews. Joseph and Mary 

were very poor and could not bring a lamb 

for an offering. So they were allowed to bring, 

instead, "a pair of turtle doves or two young 

pigeons." 

At that time there lived in Jerusalem an old man whose 
name was Simeon. He was waiting and praying for the 
coming of the Saviour. He came into the temple while the 
infant Jesus was there. Simeon was a prophet, and as soon 
as he saw the babe he knew it was the Messiah. 

"Then took he Him up in his arms, and blessed God, 
and said, Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, 
according to Thy word. 

"For mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou 
hast prepared before the face of all people ; 

" A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy 
people Israel. 

"And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary His 

(24) 



NEW TESTAMENT PRIMER 



25 



mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again 
of many in Israel." Lnke 2:28-34. 

A prophetess named Anna came in just at that time, 
and knew at once that the babe was Jesus, the Son of God. 
She then went out and told all in Jerusalem who were 




"Then took he Him up in his arms, and blessed God." 

looking for the coming of the Saviour, that the babe in the 
temple was really Jesus, the long promised Redeemer of 
the world. 

When Mary, the mother of Jesus, heard these things, 
she remembered what the shepherds had said. As she 
looked at the child in her arms her heart was filled with 
joy and hope. Surely her babe must be the long expected 
Saviour who was to bring salvation to the world. 



F THE- 





HE Jewish priests and rulers ought to have been 
the first to know of the birth of Jesus. But 
they were proud men, and expected the Re- 
deemer would come as a mighty king. They 
were not ready to receive Him as the helpless 
babe of Bethlehem. So His coming was first 
announced by the angel to the shepherds. 

Afterward the Lord told the good news to Simeon and 
Anna in the temple. -In the far East, also, there lived 
some honest wise men. These men were not Jews, but 
were careful students of the Word of God. They knew 
that the time was near for Christ to come. 

These wise men studied the stars in the heavens. 
They learned of God as they saw His wonderful works. 
It was revealed to them that when they should see a new 
and very bright star they should follow it, and it would 
lead them to the infant Jesus. 

One night, as they were studying the stars, they saw a 
large and beautiful star which they had never seen before. 
They believed that it was the sign they had been waiting 
for, and that the Saviour had come. So they followed it 
until it led them to Jerusalem. On arriving at the city 
gate the star became so dim that they could not follow it. 

(27) 



28 



NEW TESTAMENT PRIMER 



As the wise men entered the city they inquired, "Where 
is He that is born king of the Jews ? for we have seen 
His star in the east, and are come to worship Him ? " 




The Wise Men Before King Herod. 

When king Herod heard of this he sent for the wise men. 
He did not like to hear of another king who might some 
day take his throne. , Herod learned from the Jews that 
Jesus was to be born in Bethlehem. So he directed the 
wise men to go to Bethlehem, and said to them: — 

" Go and search diligently for the young child; and 
when ye have found Him, bring me word again, that I may 
come and worship Him also." 



NEW TESTAMENT PRIMER 29 

Then the wise men started again on their journe}'. 
And the star appeared to thern as before. This time it 
led them to the place where the young child was. And 
when they saw Him, they worshipped Him, and "presented 
unto Him gifts, gold, and frankincense, and myrrh." 




" They presented Him gifts, gold, and frankincense, and myrrh." 

Then the wise men prepared to return to Jerusalem. 
They wanted to tell Herod where he could find Jesus. But 
an angel came and told them to go home another way. 

Herod had not been honest when he told the wise men 
that he wanted to worship Jesus. He wanted to find the 
child so he could have Him put to death. 




FTER the wise men had gone an angel appeared to 

Joseph and told him to "take the yonng child and 

His mother, and flee into Eg3 T pt, . . . for Herod 

will seek the young child to destroy Him." 

Joseph started at once. He was poor, but 

the presents which the wise men had brought to 

the child Jesus paid all the expenses of the journey. 

Herod was very | angry because the wise men 

did not come back and tell 

him where the child 

was. So he sent his 

— " T1 





x 



# 



* X 



Painting by Poussin, front English Bible of 1S1S. 

Slaying of the Children of Bethlehem. 

(30) 



NEW TESTAMENT PRIMER. 



3 1 



1 



soldiers and had them kill all the children in Bethlehem 
who were not more than two years old. In this way he 
was sure that the child Jesus would be destroyed with the 

rest of the children. But God had 
cared for the babe, and He was al- 
ready in Egypt, safe from the anger 
of the wicked king. 

Herod soon died a terrible 
death. Then the angel told Jo- 
seph to return to his home, for 
"they are dead which sought the 
young child's life." 

Then Joseph took 

Mary and the child Jesus 

and returned to his old 

home in Nazareth, in the 

land of Palestine. 



1 



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as? 




" Take the young child ^and His mother, and flee into Egypt. 



EDHOOD OF 





|ESUS was the Son of God, and conld have made 
His home among the rich of earth. Bnt He 
chose to live among the poor. Dnring His 
childhood He lived in a little town called Naza- 
reth. 

Jesns wants the poor to know that He under- 
stands all about their trials. He was poor 
Himself. He can sympathize with them and help them 
when they ask Him. 

In His home His ways were simple and childlike. He 
grew in mind and body as other children grow. Of His 
early years the Bible says : — 

" The child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with 
wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him." "And 
Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with 
God and man." Luke 2:40, 52. 

Jesus early learned to pray to His Father. In prayer 
He received help to do right. His mother taught Him 
from the Bible, and He soon learned to read and to study 
it for Himself. 

Jesus also loved to study the wonderful things which 
God had made. He learned useful lessons from all He 
saw in the earth and in the sky. He studied the flowers 
(32) 



NEW TESTAMENT PRIMER 



33 



and trees, the animals, the sun, and the stars. He loved 
the birds, and loved to listen to their beautiful songs. 
Holy angels were with Him, and helped Him to learn 
from these things about God. 

Every child may gain knowl- 
edge as Jesus did. We should 
spend our time in learning only 
which is true. Falsehood 
and fables will do us no good. 
Only the truth is of any 
value, and this we may 
learn from God's Word 
and from His works. 

As we study these 
things the angels will 
help us to understand. 
We shall see the wisdom 
and goodness of our heav- 
enly Father. Our minds 
will be strengthened, our 
hearts will be made pure, 
and we shall become more 
like our Saviour. 

The youth who try to 
please God in all that they do, who do right because it is 
right, will be useful in the world. By being faithful in a 
humble place they are fitting themselves for a higher position. 

3 




"He loved the birds, and loved 
to listen to their beautiful songs." 




N the spring of every year Joseph and 
Alary went up to Jerusalem to the feast 
of the Passover. But they did not take 
Jesus with them until He was twelve 
years of age. 

When this feast was over they started 
home with their neighbors and friends. 



They supposed Jesus was somewhere 
in the company, and did not miss Him 
until the close of the day. Then they 
searched carefully for Him, but 
could not find Him. 

Joseph and Mary were very 
sorrowful. They remembered how 
Herod had tried to kill Him when 
a babe. They feared that some 
evil had befallen Him. 

The next morning the}/ 
started back to Jerusalem, ^ 

(34) 




NEW TESTAMENT PRIMER 35 

hoping the}- might find Him there. They searched for 
Him three da}-s, and where do 3'ou suppose they found 
Him? Why, in the temple among the wise men of the 
city. He was asking them questions about the Scriptures, 
and answering the questions which the}' asked Him. 

"And all that heard Him were astonished at His under- 
standing and answers." Luke 2:46, 47. 

Jesus seemed to be a learner at the feet of the wise 
men of the temple,' but He asked them questions about the 
Scriptures which surprised and perplexed them. And He 
answered the questions which they asked Him. In it 
all He was really teaching these men important lessons 
from the Word of God. These men soon saw that Jesus 
knew more about the Bible than they did, even though He 
was only twelve 3'ears old. 

When Mary had found Jesus, she said to Him, "Son, 
why hast thou thus dealt with us? Behold Thy father 
and I have sought Thee sorrowing." 

And Jesus answered, " How is it that 3-e sought Me ? 
wist }*e not that I must be about My Father's business ? " 
Verses 48, 49. 

Jesus knew what His work on earth was to be. Al- 
though He was only a child in 3'ears, He felt the respon- 
sibility of the work He had come to earth to do. He 
never neglected an opportunity to let His light shine to 
those around Him. 

" And He went down with them, and came to Nazareth, 



36 



NEW TESTAMENT PRIMER 



and was subject unto them ; but His mother kept all these 
sayings in her heart." Verse 51. * 

Jesus knew that He was the Son of God, and that He 
had a very important work to do while He was here on 
earth. Yet He was always obedient to His parents, and 

was as a ra} T of sunshine in the 
home. • In His life He set a 
perfect example to all other chil- 
dren, for He always did what 
was right. 

Joseph was a carpenter, and 
very poor. Faithfully and 
cheerfully Jesus did His part in 
helping to support the family. 
As soon as He was old enough, 
He learned a trade, and worked 
in the carpenter's shop with 
Joseph. In the dress of a 
laborer He passed through the 
streets of the little town, going to and from 
His work. He did not use His divine 
Jesus as a Carpenter. . power to make His life easy for Himself. 
As Jesus worked in childhood and 3-outh, He grew strong 
in body and mind. By His example He taught that we 
ought to be industrious, that we should do our work care- 
fully and well, and that such work is honorable. All 
should find something to do that will be helpful to them- 
selves and to others. 






ESUS Had a cousin by the name of John. In the 
Bible he is called John the Baptist. This 
name was given him because he baptized 
many people in the river Jordan. 

John had his home in the wilderness. There 
God taught him and prepared him for the great work he 
had to do. 

As John grew to manhood he became a great preacher. 
The people traveled from many places to hear him. He 
told them that Jesus was soon coming among them. 

John told them that they must put away their sins so 
that they would be ready to meet Jesus. Many confessed 
their sins and were baptized by John in the Jordan river. 
When Jesus was about thirty 3-ears old He left His 
home to begin His work of teaching the people. He 
wanted to set a right example to others, so He went to the 
wilderness, that He, also, might be baptized of John. 

But John did not feel worthy to baptize Jesus. He 
said, " I have need to be baptized of Thee, and comest 
Thou to me ? " 

Jesus answered, "Suffer it to be so now: for thus it be- 
cometh us to fulfill all righteousness." Then John bap- 
tized Him in the waters of the Jordan. 

(37) 



38 



NEW TESTAMENT PRIMER 



When they came up out of the water Jesus kneeled 
down on the bank and prayed to His Father in heaven. 
As He was praying, the Holy Spirit 
of God, in the form of a beautiful 
dove, descended upon Him. 

Then there came a voice from 
God in heaven, saying, "Thou art 
My beloved Son; in Thee I am 
well pleased." 

After Jesus was baptized He 
went into the wilderness, because 
He wanted to be 




alone where He 
could think of 
the work He 
had to do. 
He wanted 
to fast and 
pray to His 
Father for 
strength to do 
this work. The 

Bible says the Holy "-^ Baptism of Jesus. 

Spirit led Him to go on this journey into the wilderness. 
Satan knew where Jesus had gone; so he went there to 
tempt Him. Jesus came to this world to live just as men 
live, and so He worked as men work, and was tempted by 
Satan as men are tempted. Yet while on earth He resisted 




NEW TESTAMENT PRIMER 



39 



every temptation, and never made a mistake in His work 
or committed a sin. 

The devil wanted Jesns to sin so that His work on earth 
wonld be a failure. The Father helped His Son to keep 

P — . 3 j ^ from sin. Jesus will help us if we 

; \// ask Him. 

Jesus fasted forty days in the wilder- 
ness. Then, when He was weak from 
Lm% y ) fasting, and so very hungry, Satan came 

to Him with his temptation, and said: — 
__ "If thou 

be the Son of 
God, com- 
mand that 
these stones 
be made 
bread." 

Men can- 
not work 
miracles to 
help them- 
selves in trouble. As Jesus was our example, He must 
live as men live. If He had turned stones into bread, be- 
cause He was hungry, He could not be our example when 
we are hungry. 

Jesus would not fail on a single point, so He answered: — 
"It is written, Alan shall not live by bread alone, but by 
every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." 



Pw«, 




// Thou be the Son of God, command that these 
stones be made bread." 





FTER the temptation Jesus' returned to the Jor- 
dan. Here He began the selection of His disci- 
ples. Among the first chosen were Andrew, Pe- 
ter, Philip, and Nathaniel. Others were chosen 
from time to time, at different places, until there 
were twelve. 

Jesus soon went to Galilee, and began His ministry. 
At Cana there was a wedding feast, and there was not 
enough wine. So He told the servants to bring water and 
pour it into the wine jars. When they drew it out it had 
turned into better wine than any the}' had had before. 

Wherever Jesus went Pie healed all the sick people 
who were brought to Him. He delighted to meet the peo- 
ple in the valleys and on the mountain sides, and there 
teach them. 

At one time a great number came to hear Him. So 
He went up into a mountain where they could all see 
Him. There He gave the most beautiful sermon that ever 
was heard. Among other things, He said: — 

" Blessed are the poor in spirit : for theirs is the king- 
dom of heaven." If we are proud and haughty, Jesus can- 
not help and bless us. 

" Blessed are they that mourn : for they shall be com- 
(40) 



NEW TESTAMENT PRIMER 



41 



forted." If we are sorry for our sins, the I^ord will forgive 
us and make us glad. 

"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." 
If we suffer wrong, rather than do wrong, Jesus will take care 
of us, and give us a home forever in the earth when it is 
made new. 

" Blessed ! 
are the pure 
in heart: for 
they shall 
see God-." 
If our words 
are right, 
and our 
lives clean, 
God will 
love us, and 
we shall live 

near Him " Blessed are the meek " 
forever in a more beautiful home 
than you ever saw or imagined. 

"Blessed are the peacemakers: 
for they shall be called the children 
of God." Christ is the King of 
peace. He wants us to help make 
peace among those whp are around 
us. Then He will love us and call 
us His children. 




^N JERUSALEM there was a wonderful pool called 

f Bethesda. At certain times an angel would come 

ftp!f®|$ down and stir the water. Then the first one who 

ll^^sfe^ stepped into the pool would be healed of any 

disease he might have. 

Many sick people came to this pool, hoping they might 
be the first to step in and be healed. Among them was 
one poor crippled man who had been waiting a long time. 
But whenever the water was stirred some one would step 
in before him, and he would turn away disappointed. 

One Sabbath day Jesus was passing by the pool and 
saw the poor, sorrowful cripple. Jesus knew how long 
and patiently he had waited, and His heart was filled with 
pity for him. So He said : — 

"Wilt thou be whole?" 

The poor man answered, "Sir, I have no man, when 
the water is troubled, to put me into the pool." 

Then Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up thy bed, and 
walk." 

At once the. man was fully healed, and he took up his 
bed, or the mat on which he lay, and walked away with it. 
How the man rejoiced when he walked for the first time 
in thirty-eight years! What a wonderful act of mercy 
this was ! 
(42) 



NEW TESTAMENT PRIMER 



43 



Soon the man met some Pharisees, and in his joy he 
told them how he had been healed. But these Pharisees 
were prond and cruel. They had no love for the poor man 
who had been healed. They pointed to his bed, and 
said : — 

"It is the Sab- 
bath day: it is not 
lawful for thee to 
carry thy bed." 

These self-right- 
eous Jews were an- 
gry when they 
learned that Jesus 
had healed the man 
on the Sabbath, and had told him to 
carry his bed on that da}^. They did 
not love Jesus, because He reproved 
them for their cruel, wicked ways. 

"Therefore did the Jews persecute 
Jesus, and sought to slay Him, because He had done these 
things on the Sabbath." 

Works of mercy on the Sabbath are alwa}^s right. But 
these Jews would have committed murder, and broken an- 
other commandment, because Jesus had done a work of 
mercy in healing a man on the Sabbath. This shows how 
inconsistent and wicked they were. 

Another Sabbath, as Jesus was passing along, He saw 
a man who was born blind. Jesus came close to him, and 




44 



NEW TESTAMENT PRIMER 




spat on the ground, made clay of the spittle, rubbed the 
clay on the man's eyes, and told him to go and wash in 
the pool of Siloam. When the man had washed, he could 
see as well as any one. 

When the Pharisees heard of this miracle, they 
sent for the man whose eyes were opened, and made 
him tell them all about it. When they heard it 
they hated Jesus the more, and said: — 

"This Man is not of God, becaus< 
keepeth not the Sabbath day." 

But others said, "How can 
a man that is a sinner do such 
miracles ? " 

So it was then as it always 
has been, some believed in Jesus, 
and some would not. 

Again, on another Sabbath, 
while passing through a field of 
grain, the disciples shelled out 
some of the grain in their hands, and ate it. The Phari- 
sees, who were always on the watch to find fault with the 
work of Jesus, said to Him: — 

"Why do they on the Sabbath da}' that which is not 
lawful?" 

Now, the disciples had been a long time without food, 
and it was cruel to keep them from eating a little of the 
grain. Jesus told the fault-finding Jews that "the Sabbath 
was made for man." It was intended for a blessing, not 
for a burden. 



"Go, wash in the pool. 



NEW TESTAMENT PRIMER 



45 



Then He adds, " Therefore the Son of man is Lord also 
of the Sabbath." 

This means that because the Sabbath was made for 7nan, 
the Son of man is Lord of it. It be- 
longs to Christ. 

Of the work of Christ in creation, 
John says, "All things were made by 
Him ; and withont Him was not any- 
thing made that was 
made." And again, 
"the world was made 
by Him." John 1:3, 
10. 

The word spoken 
by Jesns is all-power- 
ful in heaven and 
earth. -Paul says 
that He "is the im- 
age of the invisible 
God." Also, that "by 
Him were all things 
created, that are in 
heaven, and that are 
in earth." Colossians 1 : 15, 16. 

So, if Jesus created the earth, it was He who, after six 
days of work, rested on the Seventh day and made it the 
Sabbath, and so it is called the Lord's day, in Rev. 1 : 10. 
Moses, in writing about this work of creation, says : — 




"The Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath." 



46 NEW TESTAMENT PRIMER 

"Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all 
the host of them. And on the Seventh day God ended 
His work which He had made ; and He rested on the 
Seventh day from all His work which He had made. 
And God blessed the Seventh day, and sanctified it." 
Genesis 2 : 1-3. 

The Sabbath was given as a memorial of God's great 
work in creating the earth. As we rest upon this day we 
will think of all He has made for us. Thus it will draw 
us nearer to the great Creator, and be a blessing to us. 

Jesus did not break the Law of God when He was on 
earth, as the Pharisees had accused Him. He said, "I 
have kept My Father's Commandments." 

In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus took His position 
regarding the Commandments, and said : — 

"Think not that I am come to destroy the law. . . . 
For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one 
jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all 
be fulfilled." Matthew 5:17, 18. 

The Pharisees, by their teachings, had made it hard for 
the people to keep God's law. Jesus upheld the law, but 
condemned the. wicked ways of the Pharisees. This was 
because they had made the way of right doing so hard that 
the people could not follow it. 

Through all these miracles Jesus was teaching the Phari- 
sees how they should keep the Sabbath. This is an object 
lesson to every one. 



THE 




'ESUS loved the little children. He delighted to 
155, have thern near Him. Many times He took 
them in His arms, and blessed them, and healed 
them when they were sick. 

Jesns wants us to obey Him, and trust Him, 
as a child obeys and trusts his father and mother, so He 
said to the dis- 
ciples : — 

"Except ye 
be converted, and 
become as little 
children, ye shall 
not enter into 
the kingdom of 
heaven." 

The beautiful 
story on the next 
two pages tells 
how a tired mother 
took her children 
to Jesus. No one 
is ever turned 
away that goes to 
Jesus in trouble. 




Painting by B. West, from English Bible 0/1818. ' 



(47) 



4 8 



NEW TESTAMENT PRIMER 



P=S 



'IV 



: s£l 




Hannah and the Children. 



OhI 



HK Master has come over Jordan," 
Said Hannah, the mother, one day, 
" He is healing the people who throng Him, 
With a touch of His finger, they say. 

"And now I shall carry the children — 
Little Rachel, and Samuel, and John, 

I shall carry the baby, Esther, 
For the Lord to look upon." 

The father looked at her kindly, 
But he shook his head and smiled ; 

"Now, who but a doting mother 
Would think of a thing so wild ? 

" If the children were tortured by demons, 

Or dying of fever, 'twere well, 
Or had they the taint of the leper, 

Like many in Israel." 

11 Nay, do not hinder me, Nathan — 
I feel such a burden of care ; 

If I carry it to the Master, 
Perhaps I shall leave it there. 

11 If He lays His hand on the children, 
My heart will be lighter, I know, 

For a blessing for ever and ever 
Will follow them as they go." 



NEW TESTAMENT PRIMER 



49 




So over the hills to Judah, 

Along the vine-rows green, 
With Esther asleep on her bosom, 

And Rachel her brothers between, 

' Mong the people who hung on His teaching, 
Or waited His touch and His word* 

Through the row of proud Pharisees listening, 
She pressed to the feet of the Lord. 

"Now, why shouldst thou hinder the Mas- 
ter," 

Said Peter, "with children like these? 
Seest not how, from morning till evening, 

He teacheth, and healeth disease ? ' ' 

Then Christ said, " Forbid not the children — 

Permit them to come unto me." 
And He took in His arms little Esther, 

And Rachel He set on His knee ; 

And the heavy heart of the mother 

Was lifted all earth- care above ; 
And He laid His hands on the brothers, 

And blest them with tenderest love. 

As He said of the babes in His bosom, 
" Of such is the kingdom of heaven," 

New strength for all duty and trial 
That hour to her spirit was given. 
4 




HEN Jesus was once standing on the shore 
of the lake of Gennesaret, the people 
pressed around Him to hear the word of 
God. 
Jesus wanted to be where all could see and 
hear His words. Simon Peter was near by, 
with his fishing boat. So He stepped into the 
boat and sat down. The boat was a good 
place from which to teach the people who were on the shore, 
of the lake. 

When Jesus had finished speaking, He told Peter to row 
his boat out into deep water, and then let down his net to 
catch some fish. 

But Peter said, "Master, we have toiled all night, anc 
have taken nothing." Peter was discouraged, but he had 
faith in Jesus. So he said, "Nevertheless, at Thy word I 
will let down the net." 

And when Peter drew in the net, it was so full of fishes 
that the net began to break. Then Peter called James and 
John, who were his partners, to come with their boat to 
help him. And when they got the fishes in, both boats 
were filled with them. 

The fishermen were amazed and frightened, but Jesus 
told them not to be afraid, for He would make them fishers 
(50) 



NEW TESTAMENT PRIMER 



5* 



of men. Then these men left their boats and all they had 
and followed Jesns. 

One morning, after the resurrection, Jesus again met 
the same disciples by the sea. As before, they had fished 




Painting by Raphael^ from Bible of 1818. 

all night and had caught nothing. Jesus told them to cast 
in their net on the right side of the ship. They did so 
and caught one hundred and fifty-three great fishes. 

When they reached the shore they found that Jesus 
had made a fire. The disciples baked some of the fishes in 
the fire and ate them for breakfast. 




HEN Jesus was at Capernium the officers of 
the Jewish synagogue came to Peter and 
asked, "Doth not your Master pay tribute?" 
Peter said, "Yes." 
Jesus ought not to pay tribute, for He was a teacher in 




Painting by Rubens, from English Bible ofiSio. 

Israel, but He- sought to avoid offending the Jews. So He 
told Peter to go to the sea and cast in a hook. He soon 
caught a fish, and when he opened its mouth he found a 
piece of money. So Peter took the money and paid the 
tribute. 
(52) 




\|0R three 3'ears and a half Jesus taught 

' the people and healed the sick who 

came to Him. He then went with 

His disciples to Jerusalem, and ate 

with them His last Passover supper. 

Then He went with them to the 
garden of Gethsemane. Here He en- 
dured great suffering as He thought 
of the sins of the world. Three times 
He prayed earnestly to His Father for help for the great 
trial and suffering which He knew was before Him. 

While He was yet praying a mob from the priests and 
rulers came to take Him. Judas, the traitor, was with 
them, and betra}-ed his Master with a kiss. 

From ' Gethsemane they took Jesus to the rulers of 
Israel, and then He was taken to Pilate, the Roman gov- 
ernor. Here He was condemned to death. 

Then they took Him to Mount Calvary where He was 
nailed to the cross and crucified between two thieves. 

The agony of Jesus on the cross was terrible, but it 
was the thought of the sins of the world that caused Him 
the greatest sorrow and suffering. 

After His death, Joseph came to Pilate and gained per- 
mission to take the body of Jesus. Then he and Nicodemus 

laid Him in Joseph's new. tomb. 

(53) 



fcjWpESUS died on the afternoon of the sixth day of the 
rm¥ wee ^> which is Friday. After the body was laid 
fBk I in the grave the women who believed in Him 

/4®f i/X returned to Jerusalem, and "prepared spices and 
^^MiT ointments; and rested the Sabbath day according 
to the commandment." (This refers to the com- 
mandment found in Exodus 20:8-11.) 

"Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the 
morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices 
which they had prepared, and certain others with them. 
And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre: 
And they entered in and found not the body of the Lord 
Jesus." See Luke 24. 

Then two angels appeared, and said, "Why seek ye 
the living among the dead? He is not here but is risen." 

What a joy filled the hearts of the holy women! They 
had come to embalm their Saviour's body with costly 
spices. But they met angels who told them that their 
Lord lived. They ran to the disciples with the good 
news. Their Jesus is not dead ! " He is risen," is their 
glad cry. But the disciples could not believe them. 

After these women had gone, Mary Magdalene returned 
to the grave of Jesus. She had not been there with the 
other women. At the grave she wept because she thought 
that men had taken her Saviour away. Soon she heard a 
voice saying : — 

(54) 



NEW TESTAMENT PRIMER 



55 



"Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou?" 

Her eyes were so blinded by tears that she did not see 
that it was Jesus who was speaking to her. She thought 
it might be the 
gardener, so she 
answered: — 

"Sir, if thou 
have borne Him 
hence, tell me 
where thou hast 
laid Him, and I 
will take Him 
away." 

Then Jesus 
spoke the one 
word, "Mary." 

She knew the 
voice of Jesus 
then, and in her 
joy answered, 
"Rabboni," or 
Master. 

Later in the 

day Jesus met two of the disciples on their way to Em- 
maus. They did not know Him until He sat with them 
at supper. As He blessed the bread their eyes were 
opened, and they knew Him. Then Jesus disappeared from 
their sight. 




Painting by Raphael Mengs,from English Bible of jSi8. 



56 NEW TESTAMENT PRIMER 

The two disciples ran back to Jerusalem and told the 
news to the others. As they were talking, Jesus Himself 
came among them, and said: — 

"Peace be unto you." 

At first they were afraid, but when He showed the 
prints of the nails in His hands and feet they rejoiced. 
From this time their watchword was, " Jesus is risen." 

Jesus had said, "I am the resurrection and the life." 
The resurrection of Jesus broke the bands of death and 
made possible the final resurrection of all the righteous. 

The Christian's hope for the future is the resurrection. 
Paul says that if there is to be no resurrection "our preach- 
ing is vain," "our faith is vain," and "they also which are 
fallen asleep in Christ are perished." 1 Corinthians 
15 : 12-18. 

But thanks be to God, the faithful dead will be raised 
from their graves when Jesus comes. Paul tells about this 
in the following beautiful words: — 

"For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, 
that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the 
Lord shall not prevent [precede] them which are asleep. 
For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a 
shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump 
of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we 
which are alive and remain shall be caught up together 
with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and 
so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one 
another with these words." 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18. 




JsT the pages of this book we have been reading how 
Jesus left His home in heaven and came to live on 
this earth. We have read abont His beantifnl life. 
We have read how He healed the sick, and helped 
the suffering. Did you ever think that this same 
Jesns is coming back to the earth again? 
As the Saviour was taken up from the disciples, they 
stood gazing into the cloud where they had seen Him dis- 
appear. They were so busy looking up, tr}ung to see 
Jesus, that they did not notice two angels standing by their 
side, till they said to them: — 

"Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into 
heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from 3 7 ou into 
heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him 
go into heaven." Acts 1:11. 

These words were ver} r comforting to the disciples whose 
Lord and Saviour had just been taken from them. 



The angels said that "this same Jesus" would come 
again. 

Jesus had said to His disciples, " I will come again." 
John 14:3. 

Paul writes, " and unto them that look for Him shall 
He appear the second time." Hebrews 9:28. 



The angels also said that Jesus would come "in like 
manner" as He went away. (57) 



58 



NEW TESTAMENT PRIMER 



The disciples saw Jesus as He was taken up from 
them. John says that when He comes again " every eye 
shall see Him." Revelation i : 7. 



When He went away, 




"a cloud received Him out of 
their sight." 

John, speak- 
ing of the 
scene of His 
second coming, 
says, " Behold, 
He cometh 
with clouds." 
Revelation 1:7. 



His second 
coming will 
not be secret, 
or seen by only 
a few. It will 
be in a blaze 
of glor}r, in sight of the whole world. 

Jesus Himself said, "As the lightning Cometh out of 
the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the 
coming of the Son of man be." Matthew 24 : 27. 



This same Jesus shall so come in like manner." 



He will not come as a helpless babe, to live a life of 
sorrow because of the sins of the world. He will come as 
a conquering King. 



NEW TESTAMENT PRIMER 59 

John says of this coming, "His name is called The Word 
of God. . . . And He hath on His vestnre and on His 
His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD 
OF LORDS." Revelation 19:13, 16. 



Jesns will appear in peace "unto them that look for 
Him." That is, not to punish, but to save all those who 
have prepared for that great event, and are ready to receive 
their Lord. 

When the righteous shall " see the sign of the Son of 
man in heaven" (Matthew 24:30), they will rejoice and 
cry out, "Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him." 
Isaiah 25:9. 

But the wicked will not be able to endure the glory of 
Jesus as He comes to the earth. 

They will hide themselves "in the dens and in the 
rocks of the mountains." They will call to the mountains 
and rocks to fall on them and hide them from the glory 
of the face of Jesus. See Revelation 6:15, 16. 



Jesus is coming soon. Paul, writing to those who are 
looking for and expecting the coming of the Lord, said, 
" For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come 
and will not tarry." Hebrews 10:37. 

When Jesus comes He will bring the reward to the 
righteous. In the last chapter in the Bible we read, " Be- 
hold, I come quickly ; and My reward is with Me, to give 
every man according as his work shall be." Revelation 
22:12. * 




=5S8^--: 



JOY OF T 

DIS 





FTER the ascension of Jesus, the disciples re- 
turned to Jerusalem. The people expected 
them to look sad and sorrowful. Their 
Master had been crucified. All supposed 
their hopes were dead. 

But the disciples were not sorrowful. 
Their hearts were full of joy. Their 
faces glowed with happiness. As they entered the city 
their voices were raised in praise and thanksgiving. 

Every da}^ they went to the temple, praising God. 
There they told the story of the resurrection of Jesus. 
They told also of His ascension to heaven. They told of 
the wonderful words the angels had spoken to them. 

Why should the disciples be sorrowful? Jesus was not 
lost to them. He had risen from the dead. He had gone 
back to His home in heaven. 

Before His Father Jesus would be their friend. From 
His home in heaven He would send them help in every 
time of need^ He had promised to do so. 

They knew He would come to earth again. He had 
told the disciples, " I will come again." The angels on 
Olivet had repeated the promise. They would some day see 

their Lord again. This thought filled their hearts with joy. 

(60) 



NEW TESTAMENT PRIMER 



61 



They had. known Jesus as " a Man of Sorrow." He 
would come again as a great King. Then He would take 
them to His home in heaven, to dwell with Him forever. 

Surely they had 
good news to tell 
the people. And as 
they told this good 
news, many be- 
lieved their testi- 
mony. And as they 
accepted Jesus as 
their Saviour their 
hearts also were 
filled with joy. 

Jesus had said to 
them, " Whatsoever 
ye shall ask the 
Father in My name 
He will give it 
you." They were 
eager to pray to the 
Father in the name 
of Jesus. They often met together in solemn awe and bowed 
in prayer. The promises of Jesus were very real to them. 

The disciples knew that they had a great work to do. 
They must tell the world about Jesus. They must teach 
sinners to love the Saviour. They knew that the best way 
to wait for the coming of Christ was to work for Him. 




Is they entered VJ%~^ 
the city their voices \<( 
were raised in praise and 
thanksgiving." 




(62) 



Every one heard the gospel in his own language.' 



, 



TUK BAY O: 




EN days after the ascension of Jesus was the 
day of Pentecost. The Pentecost was a feast of 
thanksgiving to God for the harvest. To this 
feast came thousands of Jews from all parts of 
the world. 

What an opportunity this was to tell the peo- 
ple the story of Jesus ! 

But those who came to. the feast did not all speak the 
same language. They came from many different countries. 
How, then, could the apostles talk so that all could un- 
derstand them ? 

The Lord helped the disciples. He sent the Holy 
Spirit to them. It came in the form of tongues of fire, 
and rested upon each of them. And when they began to 
tell the people about Jesus, one spoke one language, and 
the others spoke other languages. 

In this way every one heard the gospel in his own lan- 
guage. Many people believed what the disciples told them. 
Of the result of this one day of preaching about Jesus, 
the Bible says: — 

" Then they that gladly received the word were bap- 
tized : and the same day there were added unto them about 
three thousand souls." See Acts 2. ' (63) 




HE disciples were very earnest in teaching the 
people abont Jesns. They went to the temple 
every day, and . talked to those who came to 
worship. They told them that Jesns had risen 
from the dead, and had gone back to His home 
in heaven. 

Many of the people were glad to learn the trnth and to 
know that Jesns had risen from the dead. 

One day, soon after the Passover, Peter and John 
went to the temple as nsnal. At the gate of the temple 
they fonnd a poor cripple. He conld not work, so he sat 
and begged of those who passed b}\ 

As Peter and John came near the man, he asked 
them for money. Peter said to him, "Look on us." 
When the man heard this he supposed he would receive 
a large gift. 

Then Peter said, "Silver and gold have I none; 
bnt such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus 
Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk." And he took him 
by the right hand, and lifted him up; and immediately his 
feet and ankle bones received strength. 

"And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered 
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65 



with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and prais- 
ing God." Acts 

The people were 
astonished. T h e y 
thought that when 
Jesus died on the 
cross His miracles 
had ceased in the 
earth. But here 
were men doing the 
same wonderful 
things that Jesus 
did. 

Peter surprised 
them still more. He 
told them that it 
was in the name of 
Jesus, and by His 
power, that the crip- 
ple was healed. As 

a result five thous- « HlSG up and walk." 

and accepted Him as their Saviour. The Lord had given 
the disciples power to heal the sick. This power was ev- 
idence to the people that the disciples were doing the same 
work that Jesus had done among them. 

Peter had done for the cripple what no physician could do, 

he had healed him. 
5 








OTH priests and rulers were very angry with 
Peter and John, and did not want them to heal 
the people. Neither did they want them to 
preach Jesus in the temple. So they took them 
and put them in prison. 

The next day Peter and John were taken 
from prison and brought before the high priest 
and rulers. 

The cripple who had been healed was present 
and stood before the priests. They knew he 
had been healed by the apostles, so they asked: — 

"By what power, or by what name, have 3^e done 
this?" 

Peter answered, " By the name of Jesus Christ of Naza- 
reth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, 
even by Him doth this man stand before you whole." 

So the priests did not know what to do. When they 
had killed Jesus they supposed His work would cease to 
be a trouble to them. But here were others doing the 
very same work. 

So they threatened Peter and John. They told them 
that they must not speak or teach any more in the name 
of Jesus. 

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NEW TESTAMENT PRIMER 



6 7 



But Peter answered, ''Whether it be right in the sight 
of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge 
ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have 
seen and heard." 

Of course to this the priests could answer nothing; 




"Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than 
unto God, judge ye." 



and they dared not harm the apostles because they feared 
the people, who all believed in the work of the apostles. 
The people "glorified God for that which was done." 

"So when they had further threatened them, they let 
them go." 




apostles. 



FTER the healing of the cripple, the work of the 
x apostles increased more and more. They 
preached the gospel boldly in Jerusalem 
and in the temple. The people heard 
them gladl}-, and large numbers were add- 
ed to the church. 

Wonderful miracles were wrought by the 
From the cities near Jerusalem the multitudes 
came bringing their sick friends to be healed. Many were 
brought into the streets on beds and couches, so that the 
shadow of Peter might fall on them as he passed by. 
And all who came were healed. 

This made the priests more angry than before. Again 
they took Peter and some of the other apostles, and cast 
them into prison. 

But God is stronger than any prison. In the night 
an angel opened the prison doors and set them free. As 
they went out he said to them: " Go stand and speak in the 
temple all the words of this life. And when they heard 
that, they entered into the temple early in the morning 
and taught." 

The angel brought the apostles out of prison, but they 

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6 9 



were not saved from the examination and punishment of 

the Jewish councils.* 
Jesus had told them, 
"Take heed to your- 
selves, for they shall 
deliver you up to 
councils." ' 

In the morning the 
council was called 
together. They sent 
to the prison to have 
the prisoners brought 
out for trial. The 
officers, however, soon 
came back without 
them. They had 
found the prison closed 
and the keepers stand- 
ing by the doors, but 
when they entered, 
the apostles were not 
there. The angel 
had led them past the 

guards who did not see the disciples as they passed out 

on their way to the temple. 

*These were meetings in which the priests would decide what the people should 
be taught as doctrines, and where they would try persons charged with religious off- 
ences. 




" The keepers 
standing by the 
doors." 







HILE the council was wondering and ask- 
ing one another what had become of Peter 
and the other prisoners, word came that 
they were again in the temple teaching 
the people. 

What could they do with these men? 
Was there no wa}^ to stop them ? They would continue to 
preach, and were constantly performing wonderful miracles. 
The whole country was aroused. And now the priests 
had learned that even their strongest prisons could not 
hold them and keep them from their work. 

Finally they sent the captain and other officers to bring 
the apostles to them. And they brought them without 
violence. 

The people wanted to hear about Jesus. They were 
the friends of the apostles. The officers did not dare to 
be harsh with them, for they feared the people would stone 
them. 

" And when they had brought them, they set them be- 
fore the council: and the high priest asked them, saying: — 
" Did we not straightly command you that ye should 
not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusa- 
lem with your doctrine.' ' 
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NEW TESTAMENT PRIMER 



71 



" Then Peter and tlie other apostles answered and said, 
We ought to obey God rather than man." 

The angel who released them from prison had told 
them to go right back to the temple and preach to the 




"And they brought them without uioience." 
people. They would not disobey God, no matter what 
men might do to them. 

The priests did not dare to kill the apostles, for even 
they feared the people. So they whipped the apostles, and 
told them they must stop preaching to the people about 
Jesus. Then they let them go. 

Did this discourage the apostles ? O, no ! they went 
away " rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer 
shame for His name." Aud "daily in the temple, and in 
every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus 
Christ." 




H|^ TEPHEN was one of the seven deacons appointed 

$jgg* to look after the business matters of the church. 
He had a good education, and was very eloquent 
in telling the people about Jesus. 

The Lord gave Stephen power so that he could heal 
those who were sick. The Bible says that he did " great 
wonders and miracles among the people. " 

Some of the Jews did not like to have Stephen preach 
about Jesus, and heal sick people in His name. So they 
tried to prove to Stephen that he was wrong. But Stephen 
told them the truth about Jesus so plainly that they could 
not overthrow his teaching. 

Then these men, who were very wicked, hired other 
men to lie about Stephen. The}'- accused him of teaching 
wicked things. 

But Stephen did not yield to them. He told the story 
of Jesu$ to all who would listen. He proved from the 
Bible that it was only through faith in Jesus that any one 
could be saved. 

These words filled the priests and rulers with rage, and 
"they gnashed on him with their teeth." 

Then the Lord comforted Stephen, and gave him hope 
and courage in his trouble. He opened the gate of Heaven 
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NEW TESTAMENT PRIMER. 



73 



and let him see "the glory of 
God." And he cried out, "Be- 
hold, I see the heavens 
opened, and the Son of 
man standing on the 
right hand of God." 
And the face of 
Stephen shone 
like that of 



an angel. 




This made 
the Jews more 
angry than be- 
fore. They put 
their fingers in 
their ears so they 
could not hear. Then they 
took him out of the city and 
threw great stones at him until 
they killed him. 

But Stephen did not hold 
an}' hatred in his heart. He 
wanted even these wicked men 
to be saved. And so, he 
"kneeled down, and cried with 
a loud voice, Lord, lay not this 
sin to their charge. And when 
he had said this, he fell asleep." 



The Stoning of Stephen* 




AUL was a Jew, whose home was at Tarsus. He 
had studied the Bible iu the schools of the Jews. 
He thought he kuew all about its teachings. 
But he was like inany other learned Jews, He 
would not accept Jesus as his Saviour. 

Saul tried to stop the work of the apostles. 
He went into the houses of those who believed in Jesus, 
and arrested them, and sent men and women to prison. 
He was one of those who consented to the killing of 
Stephen. 

At one time Saul went on a journey to Damascus. He 
had with him some of the Jewish guard from the temple. 
He intended to search the city for those who believed in 
Jesus. He wanted to send them to the prisons at Jerusa- 
lem. But the Lord had other work for Saul. 

As he came near to Damascus, a great light from heaven 
suddenly shone around him. Paul fell to the earth, and 
heard a voice saying to him, — 

"Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me ? " 
And Saul asked, " Who art Thou, Lord ? " 
The voice answered, " I am Jesus whom thou perse- 
cutest. It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks." 

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NEW TESTAMENT PRIMER 



/D 



This meant that the work of Christ would succeed in spite 
of all Saul could do to hinder it. He would hurt only 
himself, as any one would who 
would kick against something sharp 
and strong. 

As Saul lay on the ground he 
remembered the death of Ste- 
phen. The sermon he had \ 
preached about Jesus came to 
his mind. He now understood 
the truth, and accepted Jesus 
as his Saviour. 

But even though Saul be- 
lieved, he was astonished, and 
asked trembling, " Lord, what 
wilt Thou have me to do ? " 

The answer was, " Arise, 
and go into the city, and it 
shall be told thee what thou 
must do." 

When Saul 
arose from the 
ground, he found 

that he was blind. "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me ? " 

The bright light of the glory of God had destroyed his sight. 
The men who were with him led him into Damascus. 
"And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat 
nor drink." 





HESE three days of darkness were spent by 
Saul in prayer to God. His Heart was very 
I sad as lie thought of the many followers of 
; Jesus he had persecuted. 

Jesus had said, " Inasmuch as ye have done 
it unto one of the least of these My brethren, 
ye have done it unto Me." 

Saul now realized that when he persecuted a child of 
Jesus, the Lord considered it as done to Himself. The 
Lord had said to him, "Why persecutest thou Me?" Saul 
felt that he had been guilty of persecuting the Son of God 
Himself. 

In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. 
And the Lord came to him in vision and told him to go 
to Saul and give him the help he needed. Ananias won- 
dered that the man who had persecuted the church should 
now be a follower of Jesus, but he went to him as the 
Lord had told him. 

When he came to Saul he laid his hands on his head, 
and said: — 

" Brother • Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto 
thee in the way as thou earnest, hath sent me, that thou 
mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy 

Ghost." 
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NEW TESTAMENT TRIMER 



77 



"And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had 
been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and 
was baptized.' y 

Then Sanl went into the syna- 
gogue and preached Jesus Christ to 
the Jews of Damascus. How differ- 
ent this was from what both he and 
the Jews had expected. 

The conversion of Saul made the 
Jews of Damascus very angr}^. So, 
after talking the matter over among 
themselves, they decided to kill him. 
They watched the gates of the city 
day and night, that they might de- 
stroy him when he attempted to go 
out. 

But the laying in wait of the Jews 
was known to Saul. " Then the disci- 
ples took him by night, and let him 
down by the wall in a basket." 

This was the beginning of the 
ministry of Saul. Saul w T as his name 
as a Roman citizen of the city of 
Tarsus. His name was afterward changed to Paul, because 
Paul was his Hebrew name given him by his parents when 
he was presented in the temple, as all male children were, 
on reaching a certain age. After his conversion Paul be- 
came the boldest and most successful apostle of Jesus. 




Z S PETER went from place to place, visiting the 
*»^ clinrclies, lie performed many miracles. 
# On one of His journeys He came to Lydda. 
*f^ There He found a man by tHe name of Eneas, 
X wHo Had been sick in bed witH tHe palsy for 
eigHt years. 

"And Peter said unto Him, Eneas, Jesus CHrist maketH 
tHee whole: arise and make tHy bed." 

Eneas was Healed at once. All tHe people around Heard 
of it, and a great number turned to tHe Lord. 



THere was a devout woman by tHe name of Dorcas wHo 
lived at Joppa. SHe was a great Help to tHe cHurcH at 
that place. 

If there were any sick, or Hungry, or in need of clotHing, 
Dorcas was always ready to visit them, and Help tHem. 

Now, about this time, Dorcas was sick and died. As 
Joppa was near to Lydda, tHe disciples sent to Peter and 
asked Him to come to tHem. 

WHen Peter came He found tHe widows gathered around 
tHe bed of Dorcas, weeping and lamenting. And they 
were showing the garments which Dorcas had made for 
the poor. 

Then Peter sent them all out of the room, and kneeled 

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NEW TESTAMENT PRIMER 



79 



beside the bed and prayed. Then he turned to the dead 
woman and said to her, "Arise." 

"And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up; and 




Painting by Guercino from Bible of 1810. 

Peter Raising Dorcas from the Dead. 

when he had called the saints and widows, he presented 
her alive." 

And when this miracle became known, " many believed 
on the Lord." 



%^ 




fpN the city of Caesarea there lived an officer of the 
Roman army whose name was Cornelius. He loved 
God, and gave much money to help the poor. He 
prayed to God continually, but had not learned about 
Jesus. 

One day, as he was praying, an angel came to 
him, and said, " Cornelius. " 

Cornelius was afraid, but asked, "What is it, Lord?" 
And the angel answered, "Thy pra}^ers and thine alms 
are come up for a memorial before God. And now send 
men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is 
Peter: ... he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do." 
Then Cornelius called two of his servants, and one of 
his soldiers, and sent them to Joppa to find Peter. 

On the next da} T , as these men were coming near to 
Joppa, Peter became very hungry. And while food was 
being prepared for him, he went on the housetop to pray. 
While there, the Spirit of the Lord told him that three 
men were coming to find him. Peter was instructed to go 
with them, for the Lord had sent them. 

Peter was a Jew, and Cornelius was a Gentile. The 
Jewish laws would not allow a Jew to have anything to do 

with Gentiles. But the Lord did not make such laws as 

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NEW TESTAMENT PRIMER 



8l 



this. The Jews were proud and made this law themselves. 

The time had come when the Lord wanted the Gentiles 

to know about Jesus. Most of the Jews had rejected the 

Saviour, and their hearts had be- 
come hard. The 



Peter and the three 
men from Cornelius. 





Lord knew that 
many Gen- 
tiles would 
believe in 
Jesus. So 
the Lord 
gave Peter a 
vision. From 
this vision 
Peter learned that 
he was to preach the gospel to 
all men. Pie was to preach to 
Gentiles as well as to Jews. 

When Peter came down from 
the housetop he found the three 
men who had been sent to him 
by Cornelius. He called them in 
and lodged them, and the next 
morning went with them to Csesarea. 

When they came to the house of Cornelius they found 
a company gathered together to hear what Peter would say. 
Then Peter preached Jesus Christ to them, and they be- 
lieved the word spoken by him, and were baptized. 

6 




i,EROD was a Roman king. He ruled over the 
land of Jndea. He wanted to please the Jews, 
so he professed to believe their religion. 

He knew that the Jews hated those who 
preached Jesus. So he took the apostle James 
and cast him into prison. "And he killed James 
the brother of John with the sword." 

Some sixteen } T ears before, another king Herod 
had killed John the Baptist in the same way. 
Both these kings were very wicked men. 

King Herod saw that the killing of James 
pleased the Jews. So, to please them more, he sent soldiers 
to take Peter and cast him also into prison. He intended 
to kill him as he had killed James. 

Sixteen soldiers were appointed to guard Peter day and 
night. At night his wrists were chained to two soldiers. 
He could not move without their knowing it. A strong 
guard of soldiers was placed before the prison doors. 

Herod did everything he could to prevent the escape of 
Peter. But the prayers of God's people are stronger than 
the guards of kings. 

When James was killed, God's people were very Sorrow- 
ful. Now Peter was in prison, and Herod intended to kill 
him the next day. Then the church fasted and prayed to 
God continually. 

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NEW TESTAMENT PRIMER 



33 



These were days of great persecution by Herod. If the 

king should continue his evil work, all the apostles would 

be destroyed. They knew that God alone could save them. 

On the. night before the day set for his death, "Peter 

was sleeping between two soldiers, 
bound with two chains: and the 
keepers before the door kept the 
prison. 

"And, behold, the angel of the 
Lord came upon him, and a light 

shined in the 

prison: and he 

smote Peter 

on the side, 

saying, Arise 

up quickly. 

And his chains 

fell off from 

his hands. 

"And the 

angel said unto him, 

Gird thyself, and bind 

on thy sandals, and so 

he did. And he saith unto 

him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. And he 

went out and followed him." 

Through all this the soldiers to whom Peter was 
chained did not awake from sleep. 




"Peter 

was sleep 
ing between 

two soldiers, bound 
with two chains." 



84 NEW TESTAMENT PRIMER 

The door of the prison cell opens and they pass out. 
The door closes without noise. The guard standing before 
the door hear and see nothing. 

They come to the inner gate of the prison, and this 
opens and closes of itself. This gate was guarded by 
soldiers within and without, but there is no sound as they 
escape. The soldiers do not see their prisoner as he 
passes. They stand silent and still as dead men. 

Then Peter and the angel come to the great iron gate 
which leads into the city. This gate opens also without 
hands. Passing through, the angel leads Peter to a safe 
distance from the prison, and then disappears. 

But Peter stands bewildered. He does not know that it 
is true which has happened to him. He thinks he has 
been dreaming, or has seen a vision. But here he is, 
standing free and alone in the street of the city. 

Then Peter sees that it is all true and is no dream or 
vision. He then says to himself: — 

"Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent His 
angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, 
and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews." 

Then Peter went to the house of Mary the mother of 
John. A number of his brethren were in the house at 
that time, praying for him. 

Peter knocked at the gate, or door, of the house. A 
young woman by the name of Rhoda went to the door to 
learn who was knocking. As soon as Peter spoke she 
knew him. 



NEW TESTAMENT PRIMER 



85 



How glad she was ! In the house they were praying 
for Peter. They supposed he was in prison, but here he 
was knocking at the gate. Their prayers were anwered. 
Peter was safe. 

Rhoda forgot that Peter wanted to come into the house. 
She could remember only that he was 
safe at the gate. So, instead of open- 
ing the door for him, she ran in to 
tell the people who were praying for 
him. 

It was too wonderful for them. 
They could not believe it. They said 
to Rhoda, "It is his angel." 

They knew that Peter had been 
cast into prison, and chained to two 
soldiers. They knew he must go 
through three strong iron gates before 
he could be free. They knew also 
that all these gates were strongly 
guarded by Roman soldiers who were 
known not to sleep while on guard. 
But they had forgotten that twice be- 
fore the angel of the Lord had deliv- 
ered Peter from prison. What the 
Lord had done He could do again. 
But Peter kept knocking. Then 
they opened the door. And when they found it was really 
Peter, they were astonished. 




"Peter 
knocked 
at the gate.' 




( AUL went everywhere preaching Jesus Christ, and 
churches were raised up wherever he went. 

Barnabas went with Paul to Antioch, and they 
preached there for a whole } T ear. At this place 
" almost the whole city came together to hear the 
word of God." 

It was at Antioch that those who believed in Jesus 
Christ were first called Christians. It was seen that wher- 
ever they went they were always talking about the Saviour. 
And to all who would listen they told the beautiful story 
of salvation through Christ. So the people called them 
Christ-tans. 

But the apostles were soon driven out of Antioch. So 
they went to the city of I/ystra. Here the people worshiped 
idols. They did not know about the only true God. 

One day, as Paul was preaching, he saw sitting before 
him a man who had been lame all his life. Paul saw that, 
the man believed, so he said to him, with a loud voice: — 
"Stand upright on thy feet." 

When the man heard this he leaped upon his feet. He 
stood upright, and walked for the first time in all his life. 
The poor heathen of Lystra had never before seen a 
miracle. They believed that only their gods could do such 
wonderful things. So they cried out in their wonder:- — 

(3/) 



NEW TESTAMENT PRIMER 



"The gods are come down to us in the likeness of 



men." 



And they named the apostles after some of the gods 
they worshiped. Barnabas they called Jupiter, and Paul 
Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. 

Then the heathen priests brought oxen to sacrifice to 
them. But the apostles rent their clothes, and told them 
that they were only men and not gods. And still they had 
hard work to keep the priests from worshiping them and 
offering them sacrifices as they did to their heathen gods. 

But how soon these people turned! Some wicked Jews 
came from Antioch and Iconium and stirred up the people, 
so that they turned upon Paul and stoned him. And, sup- 
posing he was dead, they dragged him out of the city and 
left him. 

But God had not left him. "As the disciples stood 
around him, he rose up, and came into the city." The 
next day Paul and Barnabas resumed their journey to carry 
the gospel to other cities and countries. 

And thus it was wherever they went. At first the 
people would gladly receive the gospel. But Satan would 
soon stir up the people so that they would not listen to 
the truth, but would persecute the apostles and drive them 
away. 

Each time Paul suffered persecution, he must have re- 
membered how he had persecuted the believers in Jesus. 
This experience helped him to be patient and very gentle 
with those who persecuted him. 



HPWRECM ©F FAUIL 




feOR about twenty-five years Paul traveled in many 
countries, preaching Jesus Christ. Finally he de- 
cided to again visit Jerusalem. He brought with 
him large gifts from the churches which he had 
raised up among the Gentiles. These gifts were to 
aid the poor, and help spread the gospel in Judea. 
One day; as Paul was in the temple, some wicked 
Jews from Asia saw him. They remembered how 
he had preached Jesus in their country. They were filled 
with anger, and cried out: — 

"Men of Israel, help! This is the man that teacheth 
all men everywhere against the people, and the law, and 
this place." This was false, but it stirred up the Jews, 
"and all the city was moved, and the people ran together." 
Then they rushed upon Paul, drew him out of the temple, 
and "went about to kill him." But the uproar was so great 
that it attracted the attention of the captain of the Roman 
guard who* sent soldiers and took him away from them. 

Paul was kept in prison for more than two years, and 
then was sent by sea to Rome to be judged by Nero, who 
was the Caesar at that time. But it was late in the season 
when they sailed, and they met with many storms. 

When they came on their voyage to Fair Haven, Paul 
advised them to stay there till the winter was past. He 
told them there would be great damage if they went on. 
But the owner of the ship wanted to go thirty-four miles 
further, to Phenice, where the harbor was better. So, when a 
soft wind blew from the south, they sailed away into danger. 
In a short time a terrible storm arose, which lasted for 

(89) 



9 o 



NEW TESTAMENT PRIMER 



fourteen days. All lost hope but Paul. An angel appeared 
to him in the night and told him not to be afraid, for he 
and all who were with him would be saved from death, but 
they would be shipwrecked on an island. 

There were two hundred and sevent}'-six people on the 




ship, and they had eaten little for fourteen days. Then 
Paul "took bread, and gave thanks to God," and they all 
ate and were strengthen 

It was not . long till the ship ran aground and was 
broken in pieces by the waves. Those who could, swam to 
shore. "And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken 
pieces of the ship," all reached the laud in safety. 

But Paul had another danger to meet. A great fire was 



NEW TESTAMENT PRIMER 



91 



made, and as he was bringing an armfnl of wood, a poison- 
ous snake, called a viper, fastened itself npon his hand. 

The people of the island knew that Paul was a prisoner. 
So when they saw the " venomous beast hang on his hand, 
they said among 
themselves, No 
doubt this man is 
a murderer, whom, 
though he has es- 
caped the sea, }^et 
vengeance suffer- 
eth not to live." 

They expected 
to see Paul swell 
or fall down dead. 
But when they 
saw no harm come 
to him "they 
changed their 
minds, and said 
that he was a 
god." After this 
Paul healed many 
on the island who 
were sick. 

When spring- 
time came, Paul was taken, still a prisoner, to Rome. Here 
he lived a long time, and preached Jesus Christ to the people, 
and raised up a large church. Paul was set at liberty for 
a time, and visited many of the churches, but was finally 
brought back and put to death b}^ the Roman Emperor. 




Painting by T/tornhill, from -English Bible of 1810. 




£ \ J^zs&; 



ON PAT 



l^JffpOHN was that disciple "whom Jesus loved." He 

W||f was kind and gentle, yet firm for the cause and 

ipk i work of God. It was he who wrote the gospel 

Jjsk I © of John, and the three epistles of John. 

W^Bn^ When he became old he was taken prisoner 

and sent as an exile to the little island of Pat- 

mos, because he believed on Jesus and preached 

about Him to the people. 

But he was not lonely in his exile. Angels of God 
were with him, and gave him wonderful visions of the 
future. John wrote out the things that were shown him in 
vision, and it is called "The Revelation. " 

The New Testament books, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and 
John, tell of the work of Jesus on earth, and of His sor- 
row, suffering, and death. The Revelation tells of His 
work in Heaven with the Father, for the salvation of man. 
It tells also of the glory of Christ when He shall come to 
earth again. The Revelation has been called "A panorama 
of the glory of Christ." 

Jesus is coming soon, and the Revelation tells us many 
things we need to know about His second coming. Revela- 
tion means something revealed, or made plain. In this book 
God has revealed to us many things which He wants us to 
study and understand. There is a blessing offered to all 
who do so. He said: — 

"Blessed is . he that readeth, and they that hear the 
words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are 
written therein: for the time is at hand." Revelation 1:3. 

To Parents. — To impress the lesson of this chapter upon the minds of the chil- 
dren, trace out references, read the texts, and explain them. 

(92) 



NEW TESTAMENT PRIMER 93 

How was the Revelation given? God gave the prophe- 
cies to Jesus; Jesus gave them to the angel; the angel gave 
them to John; and John wrote them out for us. See Rev- 
elation 1:1. 

Why was the Revelation written? That we might read 
the prophecies; that the people might hear them; that we 
might keep the truths that are in them : for the time is 
near when they will be fulfilled. See verse 3. 

When Jesus was on earth He said to His disciples, "I 
will come again." John 14:3. In Revelation 22:10, He 
says, " Surely I come quick^." Yes, Jesus is coming soon, 
and He wants us to be ready to receive Him as a dear 
friend for whom we have been waiting. 

Jesus told His disciples that a great city was being pre- 
pared in heaven for all the good of earth. He said: — 

"In My Father's house [the home of God in heaven] 
are many mansions. ... I go to prepare a place for you." 
John 14 : 2. 

Yes,, the city of the New Jerusalem is being built in 
heaven. In it are to be lovely homes for the righteous. 

In Revelation 21, the angel shows this beautiful city to 
John. The New Jerusalem is square. It is very large, and 
measures 175 miles on each side, or 700 miles around it. 
There is a wall around the city. This wall is made of the 
beautiful jasper, and is more than 200 feet high. 

The wall has twelve gates — three on each side. The 
gates are made of pearl. At each gate stands an angel 
guard. The wall has twelve foundations which are "gar- 
nished " with (covered by) twelve kinds of beautiful stones. 

Inside the city the streets are paved with pure gold. 
The houses are made of gold which is transparent like glass. 

The glory of God gives light to every part of the city. 




(94) 



The angel shows the beautiful city to John. 



NEW TEvSTAMENT PRIMER 95 

There will be no night in the New Jerusalem, for the glory 
of God will never leave it. 

In the houses there is no need of a candle, for the golden 
walls of the houses are like glass, and every room is lighted 
always with the glory of God. What beautiful homes these 
must be! Nothing on earth can compare with them. 

The "pure river of water of life, clear as crystal," runs 
through the main street of the New Jerusalem. 

By the side of the river grows the tree of life. The tree 
must have trunks on both banks of the river, with branches 
which unite over the river. 

The tree of life is a wonderful tree. It bears twelve kinds 
of fruit, and the fruit ripens each month. The fruit of this 
tree gives eternal life. See Genesis 3:22. The leaves of the 
tree preserve the health of the redeemed. See Revelation 22:2. 
This beautiful city will come down from heaven to this 
earth; (Revelation 21:2). This earth will be made new; 
(Revelation 21:5; Isaiah 65 117). The New Jerusalem will be 
the capital city of the New Earth, for the throne of God and 
Jesus Christ will be in it; (Revelation 22:3). 

Outside the city the people of God will have their country 
homes. There they wilt build their houses, plant their vine- 
yards, and enjoy them forever. See Isaiah 65:21-23. 

Every Sabbath the saints will come to the New Jerusalem 
from all parts of the New Earth to worship God. And every 
month they will come up to eat of the fruit of the tree of life. 
See Isaiah 66:23. 

There will be beautiful animals in the New Earth, but 
they will not kill one another as they do now. ■ In Isaiah 
11:6, the prophet says, "The wolf also shall dwell with 
the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; 
and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; 




"AND A LITTLE CHILD SHALL LEAD THEM." 
(96) 



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